Optimizing Industrial Process Fans For Enhanced Efficiency In Glass Manufacturing

December 19, 2023 | by Neel Rao

This article will focus on the importance of industrial process fans in glass manufacturing, and how the fans can be optimized for enhanced efficiency. Firstly, it will only be appropriate to have a quick overview of the process of glass manufacturing.

Glass manufacturing – Overview
There are usually five stages in glass manufacturing. In the first stage, raw materials are gathered; the precise raw materials can be varied in different plants. After that, the raw materials and a few other essential substances are converted into a powdery form, separately. Both these are then properly mixed, and this mixture is called a batch.

The third stage of the process involves sending a batch into a furnace and melting it. Next, this melted glass is molded into the desired shape. This process is carried out either manually or through the use of machines. And, in the final stage, the temperature of the molded glass is allowed to gradually decrease.

Role of industrial process fans in glass manufacturing
The presence of industrial process fans is pivotal for all industries, especially when the sector of glass manufacturing is considered.

  • In any glass manufacturing plant, there are several processes such as melting and molding where a lot of heat gets generated.
  • Likewise, when the last stage is taken into account, effectively cooling down the molded glass is a crucial facet.
  • It’s erroneous to opine that if just enough ventilation is there in the factory, that would suffice. Even the aspects of cooling and dust control must be properly addressed. The best way to achieve that is to install the correct industrial fans in the manufacturing unit.
  • It is only upon deployment of the right industrial blowers that the heat levels in these plants can be brought under control. Otherwise, the well-being of the workers is seriously endangered. This is more so in the case of individuals who already have some medical conditions.
  • It needs to be specifically noted that proper completion of the cooling process is essential for the glass to attain the required hardness. This is again something that can be done only by deploying suitable fans.

Types of industrial fans used in glass manufacturing
Now, we will succinctly elaborate upon the key points related to the types of industrial fans used in glass manufacturing.

 

  • The fans that are used in these units should be optimized in such a way that they are resistant to high temperatures. Similarly, these blowers must be able to operate at varying speeds, depending on the changing requirements. Energy efficiency is also a significant aspect that mustn’t be ignored.
  • It is equally paramount that these fans leave no margin for error while removing dust and other noxious substances from within the premises.
  • A centrifugal fan is the ultimate choice for any glass factory, and both the variants of the blowers play an important role here.
  • The forced draft fan collects air from the outside environment and thrusts it into the furnace at high pressure. The heating process then goes on smoothly. The induced draft fan expels the heat and contaminants in the plant into the external atmosphere; this helps the cooling process.
  • Factories now have the choice to optimize the fans by integrating digital technologies into the way they operate. These sophisticated blowers automatically prevent overloading, and they generate data on the amount of power consumed. These fans keep changing their speed as and when needed, without any human involvement.